Kruger Products CEO Dino Bianco to receive 2024 Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Food Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) are recognizing Kruger Products Inc. CEO Dino Bianco with the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award recognizes individuals or families who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Canadian retail and grocery industries. They have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their companies' growth and innovation, to the communities they serve, and to philanthropy.
In 2018, Bianco joined Kruger Products – maker of such brands as Cashmere, Purex, SpongeTowels and other paper products – as its chief executive.
The company has over 2,800 employees and operates ten production facilities in North America.
"Dino's remarkable career journey and contributions to the grocery industry make him a truly deserving recipient of the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award. We join FHCP in applauding Dino for his leadership," said Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of RCC, in a statement.
Prior to Kruger, Bianco spent nearly two decades at Kraft, serving as VP of marketing at Kraft Canada. He was later promoted to president of the company and then eventually EVP of the Kraft Group and president of the company’s beverages division.
In 2013, Bianco was the recipient of the Food Industry Association of Canada's Golden Pencil award, recognizing his lifetime contribution to the grocery sector. In 2023 he was awarded the Pentola d'Oro Award by The Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario, as well as the 2023 Award of Distinction presented by FHCP.
The industry veteran has also served on the boards of Welbit Foodservice, Andrew Peller LTD and Manitowoc Company.
Bianco has also served as past chair of FHCP and sat on the board of The Grocery Foundation and board of trustees of the United Way of Toronto.
"This recognition is another testament to Dino's immense contributions to the grocery industry. His commitment to innovation, growth and sustainability have garnered the respect of his industry colleagues, his customers, and the communities he serves. We are extremely proud to recognize his numerous accomplishments with this esteemed award,” said FHCP CEO Michael Graydon in a release.
Past Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer recipients from across Canada include: Sobeys' chair emeriti, Donald and David Sobey; Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee co-chairmen, Paul Higgins Jr. and Michael Higgins; Longo's president and CEO Anthony Longo and the Longo family; Cindy and Tina Lee of T&T Supermarkets; Burnbrae Farms president and CEO, Margaret Hudson; Pattison Food Group president Darrell Jones; Morrison Lamothe Inc and Club Coffee L.P. CEO John Pigott; and Metro Inc.'s former SVP of procurement and corporate brands, Serge Boulanger.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Bianco at RCC’s Canadian Grand Prix Awards Gala on May 29 at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Joining him is Michael Medline, president and CEO of Empire Co. Ltd. and Sobeys Inc., who is receiving the 2024 Canadian Grand Trailblazer Award.
